High-low extension table construction



April 21, 1959 BFHOPPE 2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 23, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheet1 INVENTOR. BOP/.5 Hop/ 5 ,M, firm,

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HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 25, 1955 V n 8Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Bee/s flop/ 5 A ril 21', 1959 By HQPPE2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 25, 1955 8 Sheets-Sheets r .i Z. 66 a 6" A /fl///IV AV )7 /////V/// /l /7/T1 LU LL g r 8;. I 4F 3: I l 1$ M I N V EN TOR. 502/5 HOP/ E A; nfrok/vivs.

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HIGH-LOW EXTE-NSION 'TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug 25, 1955 aSheets-Sheet 4 I N V EN TOR.

Bolas fla /=5 BY ,1\.u.0 WWIOM 2 4 ArroR/Mrs.

April 21, 1959 B. HOPPE 2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Aug. 25, 1955 8 SheetsESheet5 INVENTOR. BOR/S Ho /=5 BY Wm ,M, MW ,owfkmw 4.; ATTORNEKS.

April 21, 1959 Filed Aug. 25, 1955 B. HOPPE 2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR;

Hop/ 5 BY WM ,MIWMJOW L;

ATTO/QA/EKI. I

April 21, 1959 B. HOPPE 2,883,248

HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION F iled Aug. 25, 1955 aSheets-Sheet 7 44 v IN V EN TOR.

BOR/S HOP/ 1:-

, BY WM,M,MM, 4/ OMMMQWW #4. ATTORNEYS.

B. HOPPE HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 April21, 1959 INVENTOR. 5oR/s HGPPE W Wm M, AM 21m A). A TmR/vErs.

United States Patent HIGH-LOW EXTENSION TABLE CONSTRUCTION Boris Hoppe,Kew Gardens, NY.

Application Augustf23, 1955, Serial No. 529,994

r 7 Claims. (Cl. 311--39) This invention relates to tables, and moreparticularly to extension. tables. The invention also relates toextension tables of the high-low type, that is, of the type which bymanipulation of the legs can be raised or lowered.

The invention, in one aspect thereof, includes a table having a tabletop which can be contracted or expanded in area, for example, byseparating the top halves thereof and inserting leaves between suchseparated halves. Such table top area has a major axis in a selecteddirection prior to being so extended (or prior to bringing up intocoplanar relation therewith drop leaves which are hinged thereto) andafter such table top has been extended, the major axis thereof isperpendicular to the one aforementioned. The major axis of the rectangledefined by the feet of the table legs, referred to as the axis ofstability, preferably should be parallel to the major axis of the tabletop. Accordingly the present construction provides for changing. theattitude of the legs for this purpose to permit such axis of stabilityto be shifted 90 When desired.

This is accomplished by mounting the table top upon a pantograph devicehaving a plurality of crossed and hinged arms which is capable ofextension in a horizontal direction, the .axes of the hinges of whichare all substantially parallel and to. the four outermost armextremities thereof are secured the four legs of the. table. Themovement of the pantograph to a contracted condition places the axis of,stability in one direction, and the moving of the pantograph to. anextended condition shifts by 90 such axis of stability thereby givingstability to the table in the needed direction, for example, in responseto the raising of dropleaves. Such pantograph device is operativelyassociated in a novel manner with the aforementioned separable portionsof the tabletop whereby extension of the pantograph causes separation ofsuch table top portions. Alternatively, non-separable table top portionscan be employed of the so-called flip-over variety. The latter type oftable top comprises two hinged leaves which are capable of folding oneupon the other in face-to-face relation. After the extension of thepantograph device the leaves can be moved into coplanar relation,thatis, the top hinged leaf is angularly shifted 180.

The invention in another form thereof is substantially similar to theone described above, with the exception that the pantograph device isconstructed and arranged in. such a way that concurrently with thechange in the attitude of the table legs to change the direction of suchaxis of stability, such legs concurrently are changed in angle orattitude relative to thetable top thereby to raise or lower the tabletop. This is accomplished by making the table legs in effect part of thepantograph device, that is, extensions of the arms of thepantographdevice and by constructing certain of the hinges of such pantographdevice in such a way that their axes converge in aparticular-relationship. Thus a primary pair of table legs is joined bya hinge at a point intermediate the extremities thereof whereby suchlegs can be spread or closed in response torelative movement about theaxis of such hinge. A secondary pair of table legs is similarly joinedby a hinge, and the primary and secondary pairs of hinged table legs areoperatively connected together to form such pantograph device throughthe intermediary of at least one pair of intermediate crossed pantographarms which are pivotally associated intermediate the ends thereof. Suchtable legs, of course, are conformed to extend downwardly from suchpantograph device, the table top being supported by the latter. One pairof outer extremities of such intermediate pantograph arms is connectedrespectively by a pair of hinges with the upper extremities of saidprimary pair of hinged table legs. Similarly, another pair of outerextremities of such intermediate pantograph arms respectively areconnected by a pair of hinges with the respective upper extremities ofthe secondary pair of hinged table legs. The shifting of the pantographfrom a contracted to an extended condition causes such axis of stabilityto shift as. aforementioned and concurrently to change the angle of thelegs of the table top thereby lifting the latter by virtue of suchspecial relationship of the hinge axes. That is, the axis of the hingeof each pair of hinged table legs converge at a common point with theaxes of the hinges at the upper extremities of such pair of hinged tablelegs, such common point being beneath the pantograph device. Thus twosuch points of convergence occur, which points will be spaced apartwhere there is more than one pair of such intermediate pantograph arms.A line drawn through such two spaced points should be horizontal.However, such two points of convergence may in turn coincide where onlya single pair of intermediate pantograph arms are employed. The degreeto. which the level of the table can change in response to the movementof the pantograph device between its extremes of motion is a function ofthe vertical distance of such points of convergence from the table top.

The invention in still another form is constituted by a table top havinga pantograph device associated therewith which is extendable in avertical instead of a horizontal direction and which is adapted formounting the table legs and also achieving the aforementioned angularchange of the axis of stability. Such pantograph device includes aprimary pair of pantograph arms and a secondary pair which are held insubstantially parallel spaced relationship with one another by rigidlyinterconnected spacer pins one of which is a pantograph hinge. Thelowermost extremities of corresponding of said primary and secondarypantograph arms are rigidly interconnected by bowed cross-connectors towhich are pivotally connected by cross-connector hinges to two pairs ofadditional hingedly joined pantographs arms, one pair near the primarypantograph arms and onenear the secondary pair. Such additional armscomprise the table legs. The hinge axis of each of said additional armsdue to the bowing of said cross-connectors converges at a selected pointon its respective side of the pantograph with the axes of its respectivepairs of cross-connector hinges.

The above and further objects and novel features of the invention willmore fully appear from the description herebelow when considered inconnection with the ac companying drawings although it is expresslyunderstood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration onlyand do not define the limits of the invention, reference for this latterpurpose being had to the appended claims.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view from below of a tableconstruction embodying one form of the present invention and showing thetable legs thereof in a relatively contracted condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the table construction of Fig. 1 showingsuch table legs in a relatively spread condition;

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of a table embodying a second form ofthe invention;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the table shown in Fig. 3, the table topbeing in its low position with the legs thereof in one attitude relativeto the table top;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation partly in section and with parts broken awayof the table construction shown in Fig. 4 but with the table legs at adiiferent attitude relative to the table top, the table top being in itshigh position;

Fig. 6 is an end view of the table shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is an inverted plan view of the table of Fig, 3 but in anextended condition;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view from below (partly in section) of a tableembodying a third form of the invention, the table top being in a lowposition;

Fig. 9 is an end view, partly in section and with parts broken away, ofthe table end shown in Fig. 8, the table top being in a high position;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation, partly in section and with parts brokenaway, of the table shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary View on an enlarged scale of a detent deviceemployed for controlling the legs of the table of Fig. 8; and

Fig. 12 is a perspective view from above of the table construction shownin Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings in greater detail with particular reference tothe form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the novel extensiontable construction comprises a table top 20 which is mounted upon aframe element 21, the latter in turn being mounted upon a pantographelement 22 having table legs secured thereto as will appear below.

The table in the form shown is of the drop leaf variety including dropleaves 20a and 201; which are joined by hinges, one pair of which isshown as at 23 and 24, to a central table top portion consisting ofseparable portions 20c and 20d which are divided by a line 25 indicatingthe demarcation therebetween when portions 20c and 20d are closed.

The drop leaves of the table may be raised and held in a horizontalattitude by any suitable means, such as fingers 26 and 27, which arepivotally connected to the undersurface of the table top portions 280and 20d, respectively.

When the leaves of the table are dropped and the only horizontal areasare the horizontal upper surfaces of the portions 200 and 2001, it willbe seen that such surfaces, when unseparated as in Fig. 1, are ofsubstantially rectangular shape, the major axis thereof comprising theline 25 separating same. Consequently it is desirable for the feet ofthe legs of the table to define a rectangle having a major axis which isparallel to the line 25 thereby providing a desired stability to thetable.

However, when such drop leaves are raised to the horizontal position, asshown in Fig. 1, it is desired for the major axis of the rectangledefined by the feet of the table to be perpendicular to thefirst-mentioned major axis thereby to provide such desired stability tothe table.

Novel means are provided for accomplishing this result which, in theform shown, comprises the aforementioned pantograph element 22 havingfour extremities 28, 29 and 30, 31 to which are respectively secured thetable legs 32, 33 and 34, 35.

Such pantograph element includes at least two pairs of arms 36, 37 and38, 39, the arms of each pair being interconnected by a hinge. That is,arms 36 and 37 intermediate their extremities are joined by a hinge 40and the arms 38, 39 also intermediate their extremities are joined by ahinge 41. Both of said hinges are preferably substantially vertical whenthe table is in normal operating position.

The adjacent inner extremities of the two pairs of arms are in turnjoined by hinges 42 and 43, suchhinges 4 42 and 43 being referred to asend hinges whereas hinges 40 and 41 are referred to as intermediate orcenter hinges.

The table top 20, as aforementioned, rests upon the frame member 21which in turn is supported by the upper surfaces of the pantographelement 22.

Although many operative interconnections may be employed between thetable top 20 and said pantograph element, the particular form shown inFigs. 1 and 2 comprises one wherein the separable portions of the tabletop may be spread apart to make room for the insertion of additionaltable leaves thereby to increase the area of the table top.

Accordingly, such frame member 21 includes a center cross-support member44 which is slidably connected to the pantograph construction near suchend hinges (Fig. 2), for example, by means of a pair of pins, one ofwhich is shown at 45 which is secured to the upper surface of the arm 37at the region 37a and which passes through a vertical slot 46 formed inthe cross-support member 44. Suitable retaining means, such as a washeror screw head, is at the upper extremity of the pin 45 for holding thecross-piece 44 to the arm 37 while at the same time permitting slidingengagement therebetween. The slot 46 is transversely disposed to theaxis of extension of the pantograph element 22. A similar slot and pinarrangement (not shown) is employed in connection with the arm 36 andthe cross-support member 44 at the other end of the latter.

A pair of outermost cross-support members 47 and 48 are slidably securedto the opposite outermost arms of said pantograph element on oppositesides of said centcr cross-support member 44 and are adapted for movingaway from and toward such center cross-support member 44 in response toextension and contraction of such pantograph element.

Thus the outermost portions of the arms 36 and 37 are slidably connectedwith the cross-support member 47 by pin and slot means, one of which iswell shown in Fig. 2, including a pin 49 secured to the upper portion ofthe outer extremity of the arm 36 and which pin extends through avertical slot 50 formed in the cross-support member 47. A suitable headon the pin 49 holds the crosssupport member 47 to the arm 36. A similarpin and slot arrangement is employed for interconnecting the outerextremity of the arm 37 with the cross-support member 47. The slotthereof is shown at 51 in Fig. 2.

The slots 50 and 51, in the form shown, are not perpendicular to theaxis of extension of the pantograph but rather are canted toward thecenter of the pantograph as shown, thereby to facilitate the opening andclosing of such pantograph element.

The arms 38 and 39 are analogously connected with the cross-supportmember 48.

The table top 20 is connected to the several cross-support members bymeans of a pair of parallel extension arms 52 and 53, each of whichconsists of a plurality of slide elements. A pair of corresponding slideelements, one in each of such extension arms, is respectively securedparallel to one another and to opposite extremities of said centercross-support member 44. One slide element of such pair is shown at 54(Fig. 2). Another pair of slide elements, one in each of such extensionarms, is secured to opposite extremities of one of the outercross-support members, such as 48, and, illustratively, such pairincludes slide elements 55 and 56, each of the latter being slidablyassociated with its slide element secured to the center cross-supportmember 44. For example, the slide. element 55 is associated with theslide element 54.

The table top portion 20d in turn is secured to a pair of slide elements57 and 58 which are respectively slidably associated with the slideelements 55 and 56.

Referring to Fig. l, the pantograph element is in a contracted conditionand the feet of the legs 32-35 define a rectangle 59 having a major axis60 which is substantially parallel to the line 25. However, in Fig. 2,the

pantograph element 22 has been moved to an extended condition and suchfeet of the legs define a rectangle 61 having a major axis 62, thelatter being perpendicular to the axis 60 and of substantially greaterlength thereby providing greater stability in a desired direction to thetable when the latter is extended, as shown in Fig. 2. The axis 62 isparallel to the major axis of the top surface of the table top, as shownin Fig.

Referring now to Figs. 3-6, a further form of the invention will now bedescribed which has features somewhat similar to the form of Figs. 1 and2 in that the major axis of the rectangle defined by the feet of thetable legs can be shifted 90 in response to the expansion or contractionof a pantograph element. However, an additional feature is provided inthe embodiment of Figs. 3-6, in that the level of the table is changedin response to the expansion or contraction of such pantograph element.Thus a relatively small table, such as a cocktail table, may be providedby this form of the invention which is relatively low in height. Suchcocktail table can be converted to one having a relatively much largertable top surface at a higher level (such as a dining table) by theextension of such pantograph element. Suitable table top means areprovided which are adapted for being increased in area, as will appearhereinafter.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 36 includes a primary pair oftable legs 63 and 64 which are joined by a hinge 65 at a pointintermediate the extremities but near the tops thereof whereby such legscan be spread or closed in response to relative movement about the axisof such hinge 65. A secondary pair of table legs 66 and 67 are similarlyjoined by a hinge 68. Such primary and secondary pairs of hinged tablelegs are operatively connected together to form a pantograph element bymeans of at least one pair of intermediate pantograph arms 69 and 70which are hingedly joined intermediate the ends thereof by means of ahinge 71. i r

The outer extremities of said intermediate pantograph arms are hingedlyconnected to the respective inner and upper extremities of theaforementioned table legs 63, 64 and 66, 67. Thus one pair of outerextremities 69a, 70a of said intermediate arms 69, 70 are respectivelyjoined by hinges 72 and 73 with the inner upper extremities of theprimary pair of legs 63, 64. The other pair of outer extremities 69b and70b of such intermediate arms are joined by hinges 74 and 75 to therespective inner and upper extremities of the secondary pair of hingedtable legs 66, 67. i

As is well shown in Fig. 4, the tablelegs, such as 66 and 67, aregenerally angularly disposed with respect to a table top 76 of the table77 of Figs. 3-6 andextend downwardly from the undersurface from thecentral region therebeneath occupied by the pantograph; above described.

The ability of the aforementioned leg and pantograph construction toraise and lower the table top 76 and concurrently to change thedirection of the major axis of the rectangle defined by the feet, asaforementioned, is dependent upon a particular dispostion of the hingesof the pantographof this embodiment. The axis of the hinge of each pairof hinged legs converges at a common point with the axes of the hingesat the upper extremities of such pair of hinged legs, the table being innormal operaing position, namely on its feet, as showninFig. 4. Thus, asis well shown in such Fig. 4, the axis 78 of the hinge 68 converges at apoint 79 (when the table is low) with the axes 80 and 81 respectively ofthe hinges 74 and 75. A similar relation exists between the axes of thehinges 65, 72 and 73, as is well shown inFig. 6, wherein such axes allconverge upon' a common point 82 (when the table is high), although theinvention is not limited to all of such axes so converging at a commonpoint inasmuch as the pantograph element of this form of the inventionmay include more than onepair of intermediate pantograph arms whereuponthe point of convergence (as at 82a) of the axes 78, and 81 would bespaced from the point of convergence (as at 82b) of the axes of thehinges 67, 74 and 75. A line pressing through such spaced points ofconvergence must be horizontal. The point 82 is somewhat lower thanpoint 79. The change in level of the table top responsive to movementsof the pantograph is a function of the vertical distance to the tabletop from a point midway between points 79 and 82.

The change in height of the table which occurs in response to extendingthe pantograph 22 is well shown by a comparison of Figs. 4 and 5, bothbeing side elevations.

The means for associating the table top 76 with the pantograph will nowbe described. Such table top 76 comprises a central rectangular portion83 which, by means of a pin 84, is secured to a pair of cross-supportarms 85 and 86 (Fig. 3). The latter cross-support arms 85 and 86 arecrossed and held in pivotal engagement by suitable means including saidpin 84, the latter being of sufiicient length to engage a slotted guidemember 87 which is secured to the undersurface of the center tableportion 83 and is perpendicular to the axis of extension of thepantograph element (Fig. 3). Such slotted member 87 may be connected tothe undersurface of the table top portion 83 by means of bolts 88 and 89which hold such slotted guide member in the attitude aforementioned butwhich permit said guide member 87 to shift toward and away from theundersurface of the table top portion 83 and thereby provide somefreedom of move ment in a vertical direction for the table top portion83 with respect to the pantograph element. Such guide element 87 isprovided with a slot 874: which guides a pin 90, the latter beingpivotally connected to a pair of pantograph guide arms 91 and 92. Suchpantograph guide arms are in the form shown respectively secured to thetop surfaces of the cross-support arms 85, 86 and respectively are inalignment with the upper portions of the table legs 67 and 64 for thepurpose of insuring that the central table top portion 83 remainsperpendicular to the axis of extension of the pantograph element.

The table top 76 also includes a pair of table top side portions 93 and94 (Fig. 6) which are respectively operatively connected to extremities85a, 86a (Fig. 3) of the arms 85, 86, respectively, and to theextremities 86b, 85b also of such arms.

The table top side portions 93, 94 can be brought together intosubstantially adjacent coplanar relationship but with the inner sideedges thereof separated by the dimension 95 (Fig. 3) comprisingsubstantially the width of the slotted guide arm 87. Such table top sideportions 93, 94, in the relative position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, arebeneath the table top central portion 83 which, as in Fig. 4, has beenshifted upwardly to permit the sliding therebeneath of such portions 93,94. However, in Fig. 6 such table top side portions 93 and 94 are spreadto their full extent and are held in such spread condition by the centertable top portion 83 which thus acts as a spacer element therebetweenand holds the table top in steady condition.

The extremities 85a, 86a of the arms 85, 86, by means of pins 96 and 97,engage slots 98 and 99, respectively, which are formed in theundersurface of the table top side portion 93. Such slots are canted insuch a way to facilitate the spreading and contraction of the pantographelement. Analogously the extremities 85b and 86b of such arms areoperatively associated with side element 94 by means of pins 100 and 101which engage slots 102 and 103 respectively formed in the undersurfaceof side element 94.

Thus extension of the pantograph from its contracted condition of Fig. 3causes the table top side portions 93, 94 to spread apart and eventuallyto be spaced sufliciently to permit the central table top portion 83 todrop therebetween thereby holding same in spaced relationship until suchportion 83 is suitably lifted to permit the bringing together orcontraction of the side portions 93, :94 in response to thecontractionofthe pantograph element.

The extremities 85a, 86a preferably are resiliently urged together bymeans of a spring 104. Similarly the extremities 85b, 86b of arms 85, 36are resiliently urged together by 'a spring 105.

Alternative table top means can be employed of the so-called flip-overvariety in lieu of that above described wherein one half portion of atable top element is associated with the pantograph element and theother one half portion is hingedly connected to such first half portionand adapted to be moved into face-to-face relation therewith, or flippedover coplanar with the first half portion thereby doubling the area ofthe table top when the pantograph element is suitably extended forsupporting 1 the flipped-over portion.

The form of the invention shown in Figs. 8-12 will now be describedwhich is similar to the form of Figs. 37 in that the axis of stabilityof the legs can be shifted 90- concurrently with raising or lowering thetable and 1 also such axis of stability can be made longer in responseto the raising of the table.

Such form of the invention shown in Figs. 8l2 includes a table top whichis constructed and arranged to present a small or relatively contractedtop surface in a of a. pantograph mechanism which is verticallyexpansible and which, when contracted, permits the table top to be at alow level but when expanded raises the table top substantially. Suchtable top is indicated at 110 and includes separable portions 111 and112 having .a line of demarcation 113 therebetween when closed (Fig. 8).

Novel means are provided for operatively interconnecting said legs106-1119 to said table top 110 whereby in a first position of the legsthe table top is at a low level and the axis of stability is in a givendirection parallel and beneath the aforementioned line 113, the table insuch low position being designed for use with the table top portions 111and 112 pressed together along a side edge as shown in Fig. 8. In asecond position of such legs, the table top 110 is at a higher level andsaid feet of the legs are changed in attitude to define an axis ofstability which is perpendicular to that first mentioned and thus issubstantially parallel to and beneath the major axis of the table top,the latter being in an expanded condition.

The expansion of the table top surface in this form of i the invention(Figs. 8-12), however, does not occur in response to the extending ofthe pantograph mechanism as is the case in the embodiment of Figs. 3-7although it is possible operatively to interconnect the pantograph Imechanism of such embodiment of Figs. 8-12 to the table top surface toproduce such expansion of the latter surface.

The means for operatively associating the table top 110 with the legs1061t 9 includes the following: A base frame member 114 is providedhaving two pairs of spaced slots 115, 116 and 117, 118 formed therein.The slots of each pair, such as 115 and 116, are in alignment with oneanother and are parallel to and spaced from the slots of the other pair117, 118. A primary pantograph element 119 (Fig. 9) is provided whichincludes two subelements 120 and 121 connected by a first hinge 122 toone another for relative angular movement along a horizontal ends (whenthe table is on its feet), such axis being intermediate the extremitiesthereof. The upper extremities of each of such subelements is providedwith a pair of coaxial fingers at opposite corners thereof for engagingtwo corresponding slots of said pairs of slots 115, 116 and 117, 118.That is, fingers 123 and 124 are provided for engaging the slots 115 and117, and "the fingers 125 and 126 are provided for engaging the 8 slots116 and 118. Such slots areahorizontally disposed. By virtue of suchfinger and slot engagements aforementioned, the two upper extremities ofthe subelements can be spread apart or relatively closed without tippingthe table top.

A secondary Jpantograph element 127 is provided including twosubelements 128 and 129 which are joined by a second hinge 130 to oneanother intermediate their extremities. The upper extremities of saidsecondary subelements are hingedly connected to the lower extremities ofcorresponding of said primary subelements 1'20 and 121, respectively, bythird and fourth hinges 131 and 132. The axesof said second, third andfourth hinges 130, 1-31 and 1-32 converge to a common point 133 situatedbelow said table top and at one side of said primary pantograph element.

A tertiary pantogra'ph element 134 is provided spaced from and on theother side of the primary pantograph element and includestwos'ubelements 135 and 136 which also are hingedly interconnected by afifth hinge 137 intermediate the extremities thereof. The upperextremities of saidsecondary subelements 135 and 136 are hingedlyconnected to thelower extremities of corresponding of said primarysubelements :120 and 121, respectively, by sixth and seventh hinges 137and 133, respectively.

The axes of said fith, sixth and seventh hinges converge at a commonpoint 139 below the table top but on the opposite side thereof withrespect to the point 133.

Because of the special attitude of the hinges aforementioned, whereinthe axes thereof converge at the points 133 and Y139, the aforementionedshifting of the axis of stability of the legs 106--109 occurs inresponse to the moving of the above-described pantograph mechanism to anextended or contracted condition, such axis of stability 'being greaterwhen the table is raised than when the table is lowered.

A detent mechanism for holding the pantograph mechanism in its extendedcondition will now be described, reference being had to Fig. 11 whereina manually controllablesdetent 140 is shown mounted upon the framemember 114 for resilient Imovement about its longitudinal axis by virtueof springs 141 and 142 which coact respectively with mounting screws 143and 144. The detent member 1-40 is provided with slots 140a and 14011for engaging and holding rods 120a and 12111 in their closestposition.The rods 120a and 121a are, illustratively, respectively coaxial withthe pairs of fingers 123, 124 and 125, 126.

Thus when the pantogi'aph mechanism of Fig. 8 is fully extended and therods 120a and 121a are close together, the detent 140 will hold same insuch condition thereby making the table top steady. When it is desiredto lower the table, the detent is shifted angularly along itslongitudinal axis thereby releasing the rods 120a, 121a from such slotsand permitting the rods to spread to the relative positions shown inFig. 8 wherein the pair of fingers 123, 124 and 125, 126 move to theoutermost extremities 'of their respective horizontal slots in whichcondition the table top is in its lowermost position.

Suitableextension arms 145 and 146 (Fig. 12) are operatively connectedwith the table top portions 111, 112

for enabling the spreadingthereof in a well known manner. Each of suchextension arms, in the form shown, comprises threeelements, one of whichis rigidly secured to the frame member 114. Corresponding pairs of slide'elements'of each extensionarmare respectively connected to the tabletop portions 111, 112.

What-is claimed is: 1..In a high-low extension table oonstructiom'a:pri-

'mary pair of table legs joined by ahinge at "a point intermediate theextremities thereof whereby said legs can be spread or closed inresponse to relative movement about the axis-cf Isaid hinge, a secondarypair of table legs similarly "joined by 'a hinge ,-said primary andsecondary pairs of hinged table legs being-operatively connectedtogether to form a pantograph element through the intermediary of atleast one pair of intermediate pantograph arms pivotally associatedintermediate the ends thereof, one pair of outer extremities of saidintermediate arms being connected by a pair of hinges withthe upperextremities of said primary pair of hinged legs, and the other pair ofouter extremities of said intermediate arms being connected by a pair ofhinges with the respective upper extremities of the secondary pair ofhinged table legs, the axis of the hinge of each pair of hinged legsconverging at a common point with the axes of the hinges at the upperextremities of such pair of hinged legs, the table being in operatingposition, whereby in response to the moving of said pantograph elementto a contracted condition the height of the top surface thereof is at aprimary level and the feet of said legs form a rectangle the major axisof which extends in a selected direction, and in response to moving saidpantograph element to an extended condition the height of the latter israised to a secondary level above said primary level and said legs arereoriented whereby the feet thereof form a rectangle, the major axis ofwhich is substantially perpendicular to said first-mentioned major axis;and table top means connected to said pantograph element, said table topmeans including a pair of table top side subelements respectivelyslidably connected to said pantograph on opposite sides of the centerthereof and in a horizontal attitude and thereby adapted to be spreadapart in response to the expanding of said pantograph element, saidtable top means also including a central table top subelement connectedto said pantograph element and held substantially in a centralhorizontal position relative thereto by connecting means which permitsrelative vertical movement with respect thereto whereby in response tothe spreading of said side subelements to a selected degree equal atleast to the width of said central table top element, the latter ismovable from a superposed position above said side subelements into aposition between said side subelements thereby to restrain the latterfrom movement toward the center of the pantograph element.

2. A primary pair of legs joined by a hinge at a point intermediate theextremities but near the tops thereof whereby said legs can be spread orclosed in response to relative movement about the axis of said hinge, asecondary pair of legs similarly joined by a hinge, said primary andsecondary pairs of hinged legs being operatively connected together toform a pantograph element by means of at least one pair of intermediatepantograph arms hingedly connected intermediate the ends thereof, onepair of outer extremities of said intermediate arms being connected by apair of hinges with the upper extremities of said primary pair of legs,and the other pair of outer extremities of such intermediate arms beingconnected by a hinge with the respective upper extremities of thesecondary pair of hinged legs, the axis of the hinge of each pair ofhinged legs converging substantially at a common point with the axes ofsuch hinges at such upper extremities of such pair of hinged legs,whereby in response to the moving of said pantograph element to acontracted condition the height thereof is at a primary level and thefeet of said legs form a quadrangle, and in response to moving saidpantograph element to an extended condition the height of the latter israised to a secondary level above said primary level and said legs arerepositioned whereby the feet thereof form another quadrangle one ofsaid quadrangles being a rectangle.

3. In a table, a primary pair of table legs hingedly connected at apoint intermediate the extremities but near the tops thereof to permitsaid legs to be spread or closed in response to relative movement aboutthe axis of said hinge, a secondary pair of table legs similarlyconnected to one another, said primary and secondary pairs of hingedtable legs being operatively connected together '10 to form a pantographelement through the intermediary of at least one pair of intermediatecrossed pantograph arms hingedly connected intermediate the endsthereof, one pair of outer extremities of said intermediate arms beinghingedly connected with the upper extremities of said primary pair oftable legs, and the other pair of outer extremities of such intermediatearms being hingedly connected with the respective upper extremities ofthe secondary pair of hinged table legs, the axis of said hingessubstantially converging at a common point beneath said table, theheight of the top surface of said table being at a selected level andthe feet of said legs form a rectangle the major axis of which extend ina selected direction in response to contraction of said pantographelement, and in response to extending said pantograph element, theheight of the latter is raised to a level above said firstmentionedlevel and said legs are reoriented the feet thereof forming a rectangle,the major axis of which is substantially perpendicular to saidfirst-mentioned major axis; and table top means connected to saidpantograph element. 4. In a highlow table, a table top, four table legs,and means for mounting said legs and interconnecting same to said tabletop comprising: a pantograph having a plurality of hingedly connectedarms including a center pair of arms hingedly connected 'by hinge meansintermediate their extremities and also including two pairs of outermostarms, the arms of each latter pair being hingedly connected intermediatetheir extremities, the two pairs of outer ends of said center pair ofarms being hingedly connected to respective inner ends of said two pairsof outermost arms, said four legs being respectively connected to saidoutermost arms and comprising downwardly protruding extensions thereof,the axes of the hinges at the inner ends of each pair of such outermostarms substantially converging at a common point with the axis of saidhinge means interconnecting such center pair of arms.

5. In a high-low table, a table top, four table legs, a pantographelement, means for connecting said pantograph element beneath said tabletop to permit lengthening and shortening of said element along a primarypath which is parallel to said table top, said pantograph element beingconstructed and arranged for expanding and contracting along a secondarypath perpendicular to said primary path in response to extension andcontraction of said pantograph element along said primary path therebyto raise and lower the table top, said pantograph element having aplurality of pairs of hinged arms in pantograph-like interconnection,the two arms of each such pair being connected by a main hinge meansintermediate the extremities thereof, the adjacent extremities ofsuccessive pairs of arms being interconnected by a pair of end hingemeans, said four legs of said table comprising extensions of the twooutermost pairs of arms of such pantograph element, the construction andarrangement of said pantograph element to accomplish such raising andlowering of said table top comprising the following: the hinge axis ofthe main hinge means of each such outermost pair of arms substantiallyconverges with the axes of its two end hinge means at a region beneathsaid table top.

6. In an extension table, a primary pair of table legs connected by ahinge at a point intermediate the extremities thereof to permit saidlegs to be spread or closed in response to relative movement about theaxis of said hinge, a secondary pair of table legs similarly connectedby a hinge, said primary and secondary pairs of hinged table legs beingoperatively connected together to form a pantograph element through theintermediary of at least one pair of intermediate pantograph armshingedly associated between the ends thereof, one pair of outerextremities of said intermediate arms being connected by a hinge withthe upper extremities of said primary pair of legs, and the other pairof outer extremities of said intermediate arms being connected by ahinge with the respective upper extremities of the secondary pair ofhinged table legs, the axes of .said hinges substantially converging ata commonpoint beneathsaid table, the height of the top surface of saidtable being at a primary level and the feet of said legs form aquadrangle, in response to the movement of said pantograph element to acontracted condition, and in response to movement of said pantographelement to .an extended condition, the height of the latter is changedto a secondary level and said legs are reoriented whereby the feetthereof form another quadrangle one of said quadrangles being arectangle.

7. In a table construction, a primary pair of table legs hingedlyconnected at a point intermediate the extremities thereof to permit saidlegs .to be spread or closed in response to relative movement about theaxis of said .hinge, a secondary pair of table legs similarly connectedwith one another, said primary and secondary pairs .of hinged table legsbeing operatively connected together to form a pantograph elementthrough the intermediary of 'a ,pair of central pantograph arms hingedlyconnected near the centers thereof, one pair of outer extremities ofsaid vcentralarms being .hingedly connected with the upper extremitiesof said primary pair oflegs, and the other outer extremities of saidcentral arms being hingedly connected with the respective upperextremities of the secondary pair of hinged table legs, the axis of saidhinges converging at a common point beneath said pantograph element whenthe table legs vare in operating position, the height of the top surfaceof said pantograph element being 12 at,a primary level and the feet ofsaid legs form a rectangle in responseto the contracting of saidpantograph .element, the major axis of which rectangle extends in aselected direction, and in response to extending said pantographelement, the height of the latter is raised to a secondary level abovesaid primary level and said legs are reoriented, the feet thereofforming a rectangle the major axis of which is substantiallyperpendicular to said first-mentioned major axis and table top meansmounted on said pantograph element.

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